Hmmmm
Hugh: If you go back about 11 years you will find that the other selfish group that you are now part of screwed any chance of integration into mainline or career progression and all still suffer from that. I think the 'other' group to which you refer had no other interest than maintaining the status-quo. The union did not help then either. The recent "vote" does nothing to further any integration issues as QF and not the AFAP run the company. As is usual the employees will have to assimilate into the mould that QF cast.
Shaft 135: You can bet there would be a significant freeze on movements and a base freeze would certainly there – unless the company wanted otherwise! Bonze is right, there is much more to integration of the regionals then middle management and chief pilots etc. The savings would have to be elsewhere and they have not yet been shown to be there as yet.
If there is an amalgamation then you can bet it will not be to keep the pilot group happy but to ensure that there are operational and financial efficiencies within the group. You can also bet that pilot seniority will be datal and there will be a freeze on base and types for some time until it suits QF to do otherwise. Due to the many pilots with over 15 yrs service, you may well find it not to your advantage to be all in the same boat! And NJS and Impulse are not in this group.
Dingo is spot on. Maybe Ashley taking over Eastern is a first step. And part of his job will be to bring Eastern into line with the others in terms of efficiency and management structure. Only then will QF be in a position to decide on an amalgamation.
If and when it happens, you can bet QF will lay down the rules. The staff including pilots will just have to enjoy the ride.